Standard practice dictates that you give at least two weeks notice when quitting your job to give your employer time to find a suitable replacement. While this is often the best course of action, circumstances sometimes dictate a hastier approach. Lindsay Olson, writing for US News, explains:

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Some bosses will simply let you go once you put in your notice. Whether that's due to a temper tantrum, or just your boss's style, don't worry about it ... unless that means you'll have two weeks where you're not earning income. If you know your boss has always fired every employee who ever put in his resignation, you might take your chances and quit just a few days before you're due at the new company to keep the cash flow steadier. If you feel you have been harassed or verbally abused, there's no benefit to staying. If you've done your best to rectify the situation, you're probably not too worried about getting a reference from this job anyway. Take your sanity and go. Likewise, if your current job has caused undue stress, ask yourself what the benefits to your health are, if any, in staying. Likely none.

Negativity isn't the only factor that can contribute to an earlier departure. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense to stick around. Before starting at Lifehacker, I worked for a marketing firm. I'd just finished a large project and asked my boss if she wanted to two weeks or not since I technically had nothing left unfinished. She didn't mind, so I started writing for Lifehacker the day after I quit. In other jobs, I've given longer notice because I knew finding a replacement would be more difficult. While two weeks is a good choice when you don't know how much notice to give, consider your situation when deciding what to do. Sometimes you'll need more, sometimes you'll need less.